STEPHEN Harper paid his first visit to North Shore as Prime Minister Thursday to announce that the return of large-scale shipbuilding to North Vancouver was one step closer to reality.
Speaking to a crowd of about 100 workers and media at Vancouver Shipyards on Pemberton Avenue, Harper said Ottawa had signed an agreement in principle with Vancouver Shipyards Co. relating to the construction of non-combat vessels for the federal government. The agreement sets out the parameters for more detailed contracts relating to the $8-billion in work that will be involved.
"Our plan will provide three decades of stability for shipbuilders right across this country," said Harper, standing in front of a cluster of workers and a Canadian flag backdrop. "It will give the next generation of this country's naval and coast guard personnel the vital equipment that they need to do their job. This is work of national importance."
Seaspan won the deal to build as many as 24 non-combat vessels for the federal government Oct. 19 after out-bidding two other Canadian shipyards.
One of its competitors, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. in Halifax, won a seperate $25-billion contract to build combat vessels for the navy. Harper made a similar announcement at that East Coast facility just 10 hours before making his appearance in North Vancouver.
Speaking at the event, North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton said the arrangement will be a huge boon for the local economy.
"It will inject new life into an important industry that dates back over 100 years in North Vancouver," he said. "This is a great day for North Vancouver and a great day for British Columbia."
The Seaspan deal is expected to produce 4,000 jobs, 3,200 of them on the North Shore.
